DETROIT — Hundreds of protesters blocked off the street in front of the Fox Theatre Thursday night hours before the Republican presidential primary debate was set to begin.
While many debates have had protests outside during this election cycle, the large group of activists outside the famous Detroit theater near Comerica Park and Ford Field was unusually large and loud.
The protests started with a march near the debate hall before ending in front of the building. Chants alternated between “This is what democracy looks like” and “If we don’t get in shut it down.”
The political atmosphere has been charged in the Great Lakes State in the last few months as debate has raged over the lead water crisis in Flint, Mich., which has left the entire city of about 100,000 unable to drink their tap water.
In addition, there have been many “sickouts” by public school teachers here in Michigan’s largest city as a protest against the decrepit conditions of school buildings. Complaints have ranged from mold and mushrooms growing in classrooms to dirty buildings that haven’t been cleaned in weeks.
The protestors also carried signs demanding the arrest of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for the water issues in Flint and others demanding $15 an hour minimum wage.
The debate is set to start at 9 p.m. ET.
